ATLANTA — The Cleveland Cavaliers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end Thursday night, falling 114-111 to the Atlanta Hawks after surrendering a 15-point first-half lead. Cleveland nearly recovered with a late fourth-quarter rally, but missed shots and missed rebounds in the final minute allowed Atlanta to escape with the victory.
Playing their second game in as many nights, the Cavaliers got off to a strong start, holding Atlanta to just 16 first-quarter points and taking a 28-16 lead. Cleveland extended its advantage to 31-16 early in the second quarter before its offense stalled and the Hawks began working their way back.
Atlanta tied the score at 37-37 with 4:33 remaining in the half and took its first lead on a CJ McCollum floater less than two minutes later. The Hawks outscored Cleveland 30-16 in the second quarter to take a 46-44 advantage into halftime.
The Cavaliers struggled to regain control in the third quarter as Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker helped Atlanta extend its lead. The Hawks went ahead 57-46 early in the period, although Cleveland fought back behind Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and contributions from its bench. Atlanta still carried an 89-82 lead into the fourth.
Cleveland fell behind by 11 points with just over nine minutes remaining but refused to go away. Mario Hezonja provided a spark off the bench, while Harden and Mitchell helped the Cavaliers gradually cut into Atlanta's lead.
The Hawks led 108-99 with 2:25 remaining before Cleveland made another push. Harden converted a three-point play, Evan Mobley added a dunk, and Mitchell was fouled on a three-point attempt with 43.2 seconds remaining.
The play was reviewed for a possible flagrant foul involving Onyeka Okongwu and Mitchell's landing space. Replay appeared to show contact involving Mitchell's foot and Okongwu, but officials did not upgrade the foul. A flagrant ruling would have given Cleveland possession after the free throws, potentially giving the Cavs a chance to take the lead. Instead, Mitchell made all three free throws to cut Atlanta's advantage to 110-109, and the Hawks retained possession.
Atlanta answered when Okongwu grabbed an offensive rebound following an Alexander-Walker miss and scored with 28.2 seconds remaining. Mitchell responded with a basket to make it 112-111, but Alexander-Walker converted two free throws with 15.3 seconds left.
Cleveland had an opportunity to force overtime, but Mitchell missed a three-pointer with 8.7 seconds remaining. After grabbing his own rebound, he missed another attempt that looked like it was going in until it didn't.
The loss drops Cleveland to 3-2 and ends its three-game winning streak. The Cavaliers showed they could fight back late, but their inability to maintain an early lead proved costly against a Hawks team that had lost three consecutive games.
What's Next
The Cavaliers continue their road trip Saturday, October 31, against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
